Issue - meetings

The Chairman welcomed the Head Of Environmental Services, the Environmental Services Manager and the Waste & Street Scene Policy, Publicity and Performance Manager to the meeting and advised that an opportunity to pre-scrutinise the Enforcement and Fixed Penalty Notices for Environmental Services had been requested by Members at the meeting held on 1st March 2011. 

The Portfolio Holder for Community Services introduced the briefing paper which outlined the use of enforcement action to tackle environmental problems such as fly-tipping and dog fouling and the opportunities for continued improvement to street cleaning performance and improved environmental enforcement within the Council.  The Portfolio Holder gave details of what was classed as ‘environmental crime’ and the 5 stage approach for dealing with the offences, which were detailed in the proposed Joint Environmental Enforcement Strategy.  Members had also been provided with details of the level of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for the various environmental crimes.

The Head of Environmental Services informed Members that, although Redditch Borough Council’s (RBC) area and needs were slightly different to those of Bromsgrove District Council’s, the enforcement and FPNs for Environmental Services had been successful at RBC, for example there had been a reduction in fly-tipping from 1,270 cases in 2007 to 870 cases in 2010. 

A full report would be presented to Cabinet at the meeting to be held on 6th June 2011 and the Portfolio Holder informed Members that, if the report was agreed at this meeting, introduction of the FPNs would be implemented as quickly as possible.  However, this would be dependant upon the recruitment of staff.  It was anticipated that there would be 3 Environmental Enforcement Officers across the Shared Service and the benefits of this would include the provision of cover for sickness and holidays.

The Board discussed how the 5 stage approach would work and the difficulty in gathering evidence for the court proceedings stage.  Members also discussed under what circumstances an FPN could be issued and the necessity to use all stages of the process.  The use of covert investigations was also discussed and Members were informed that there was a significant amount of legislation which governed this type of investigation.  The Head of Environmental Services informed Members that it was envisaged that preventative work through education of residents would play a large part in reduction of offences in the District.

RESOLVED that the briefing paper be noted and that the Board include a review of the Enforcement and Fixed Penalty Notices within Environmental Services policy, following implementation, on the Work Programme.